Recognizing the urgent need to tackle systemic inequities in health care, fourth-year resident Dr. Hadal El-Hadi co-founded Black Physicians of Canada ⎯ now the largest organization representing Black doctors, trainees and patients in Canada, and a member of the Canadian Medical Forum.
A first-generation immigrant born in Sudan, Dr. El-Hadi studied medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Before starting her residency in public health and preventative medicine at the University of British Columbia, she completed a Master of Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
In 2020, along with her team, she spearheaded the first formal mentorship program for Black physicians and physicians in training, with more than 60 residents, fellows and early career physicians now matched across the country. Dr. El-Hadi also works with national stakeholders to address systemic anti-Black racism in medical education. She also co-chaired the inaugural Black Physicians of Canada conference titled “I Am Because You Are,” which brought Black physicians and trainees together from across the country to celebrate being Black in medicine.
“Dr. El-Hadi’s vision — to inspire and build a national community of support for Black physicians, their allies, and patients; thus, being able to affect change — has given voice to a physician group and patient community that often goes unheard.” — Dr. Kannin Osei-Tutu, senior associate dean, Health Equity and Systems Transformation, University of Calgary
Dr. Hadal El-Hadi is receiving the Dr. Brian Brodie Organizational Leadership Development Award (resident) for her work to address systemic inequities in health care.